Toyota has revealed improvements to its engine range to fit with its TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) underpinnings. High amongst the list of prioritised changes is a focus upon driver engagement and enjoyment, in addition to better fuel economy by up to 20 percent, up to 15 percent lower emissions of at least 15 percent, and 10 percent more power. Toyota aims to introduce the new engine range from 2017 onwards.
This efficiency is partly due to measures employed by Toyota to lighten the engines, and ensure that they give cars they're used in a low centre of gravity. Included in this new raft of engines is a new, 2.5-litre direct-injection in-line four-cylinder petrol engine, part of a range which Toyota calls ‘Dynamic Force Engines’ which uses high-speed combustion and other efficiency-based technologies.
Lower friction has also been designed into moving parts for greater fuel efficiency; Toyota claims efficiency ratings of 40 percent and 41 percent for the petrol and petrol hybrid versions of this engine respectively. It will not be offered as a diesel engine.
The hybrid will be an improved system, using the logic applied to the powertrain of the new Prius. The brand also claims that this system is now also suitable for rear-wheel-drive-cars. The plug-in hybrid powertrain is also tweaked to give more power by allowing the previously generative electric motor to power the wheels as well. The lithium-ion battery has also been tweaked to increase its electric-only driving range up to 60km.
On top of the new engine line-up is a duo of automatic transmissions – eight- and ten-speed direct-shift units which are also designed to experience low levels of friction and are smaller and lighter than equivalents, as claimed by Toyota. For the ten-speed unit, ‘among the world’s quickest’ shift speeds contribute to a smooth drive, and is designed to be flexible and as suited to urban driving as it is to motorway cruising.
Toyota’s drivetrain offensive carries it into 2021, by which time 17 variations of its nine-engine line-up will have been introduced, as well as six hybrid systems presented in ten versions.
Ten gearboxes, including a new CVT, will also make their respective debuts. The first of these will be on a new model being launched in 2017. Although unconfirmed, this is likely to be the new Lexus LS, which is one of the oldest cars in the Toyota and Lexus range.
For India, the new Prius hybrid, the first car built on the TNGA platform, will be launched in early 2017 as a full import. The plan beyond 2017 involves the introduction of new models such as the all-new Corolla and the C-HR (or Coupe High Rider), also built on TNGA. The C-HR is expected to share many of its components with the all-new Corolla and the engines and hybrid drive systems that will power it are likely to be similar as well. Toyota, however, could take its time to bring the TNGA platform into India because it is likely to go only with the suppliers it trusts.
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Viraaj Bhatnagar
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